GB2543613A - Vehicle seat assembly with entertainment system - Google Patents

Vehicle seat assembly with entertainment system Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2543613A
GB2543613A GB1613993.3A GB201613993A GB2543613A GB 2543613 A GB2543613 A GB 2543613A GB 201613993 A GB201613993 A GB 201613993A GB 2543613 A GB2543613 A GB 2543613A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
display screen
screen arrangement
arrangement
seat back
vehicle seat
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB1613993.3A
Other versions
GB2543613B (en
GB201613993D0 (en
Inventor
Gough Ben
Powell Steven
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Lear Corp
Original Assignee
Lear Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Lear Corp filed Critical Lear Corp
Publication of GB201613993D0 publication Critical patent/GB201613993D0/en
Publication of GB2543613A publication Critical patent/GB2543613A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2543613B publication Critical patent/GB2543613B/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/64—Back-rests or cushions
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
    • B60R11/02—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
    • B60R11/0229—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof for displays, e.g. cathodic tubes
    • B60R11/0235—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof for displays, e.g. cathodic tubes of flat type, e.g. LCD
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
    • B60R11/02—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
    • B60R11/02—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
    • B60R11/0217—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof for loud-speakers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
    • B60R11/02—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
    • B60R11/0229—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof for displays, e.g. cathodic tubes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61—RAILWAYS
    • B61D—BODY DETAILS OR KINDS OF RAILWAY VEHICLES
    • B61D33/00—Seats
    • B61D33/0007—Details; Accessories
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B29/00—Accommodation for crew or passengers not otherwise provided for
    • B63B29/02—Cabins or other living spaces; Construction or arrangement thereof
    • B63B29/04—Furniture peculiar to vessels
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENTS OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
    • B64D11/00—Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
    • B64D11/0015—Arrangements for entertainment or communications, e.g. radio, television
    • B64D11/00154—Loudspeakers mounted in the seat back
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENTS OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
    • B64D11/00—Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
    • B64D11/0015—Arrangements for entertainment or communications, e.g. radio, television
    • B64D11/00155—Individual entertainment or communication system remote controls therefor, located in or connected to seat components, e.g. to seat back or arm rest
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05D—HINGES OR SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS
    • E05D11/00—Additional features or accessories of hinges
    • E05D11/06—Devices for limiting the opening movement of hinges
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05F—DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING
    • E05F1/00—Closers or openers for wings, not otherwise provided for in this subclass
    • E05F1/08—Closers or openers for wings, not otherwise provided for in this subclass spring-actuated, e.g. for horizontally sliding wings
    • E05F1/10—Closers or openers for wings, not otherwise provided for in this subclass spring-actuated, e.g. for horizontally sliding wings for swinging wings, e.g. counterbalance
    • E05F1/12—Mechanisms in the shape of hinges or pivots, operated by springs
    • E05F1/1207—Mechanisms in the shape of hinges or pivots, operated by springs with a coil spring parallel with the pivot axis
    • E05F1/1215—Mechanisms in the shape of hinges or pivots, operated by springs with a coil spring parallel with the pivot axis with a canted-coil torsion spring
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05F—DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING
    • E05F3/00—Closers or openers with braking devices, e.g. checks; Construction of pneumatic or liquid braking devices
    • E05F3/16—Closers or openers with braking devices, e.g. checks; Construction of pneumatic or liquid braking devices with friction brakes
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05F—DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING
    • E05F3/00—Closers or openers with braking devices, e.g. checks; Construction of pneumatic or liquid braking devices
    • E05F3/20—Closers or openers with braking devices, e.g. checks; Construction of pneumatic or liquid braking devices in hinges
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/002—Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
    • B60R2011/0001—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by position
    • B60R2011/0003—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by position inside the vehicle
    • B60R2011/0012—Seats or parts thereof
    • B60R2011/0015—Back-rests
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
    • B60R2011/0001—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by position
    • B60R2011/0003—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by position inside the vehicle
    • B60R2011/0012—Seats or parts thereof
    • B60R2011/0017—Head-rests
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
    • B60R2011/0042—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by mounting means
    • B60R2011/008—Adjustable or movable supports
    • B60R2011/0085—Adjustable or movable supports with adjustment by rotation in their operational position
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
    • B60R2011/0094—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by means for covering after user, e.g. boxes, shutters or the like
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
    • B60R11/02—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
    • B60R2011/0294—Apparatus with multi-functionalities, e.g. radio and telephone
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B29/00—Accommodation for crew or passengers not otherwise provided for
    • B63B29/02—Cabins or other living spaces; Construction or arrangement thereof
    • B63B29/04—Furniture peculiar to vessels
    • B63B2029/043—Seats; Arrangements thereof on vessels
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO HINGES OR OTHER SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS AND DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION, CHECKS FOR WINGS AND WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING
    • E05Y2900/00—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof
    • E05Y2900/60—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof for other use
    • E05Y2900/606—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof for other use for electronic devices
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N5/00—Details of television systems
    • H04N5/64—Constructional details of receivers, e.g. cabinets or dust covers
    • H04N5/645—Mounting of picture tube on chassis or in housing

Abstract

A vehicle seat assembly 10 having an entertainment system (12, fig 1), comprising a seat back 14, a display screen attachment 18 rotatably attached to the seat back and moveable between a stowed position wherein the screen faces forwards and a use position wherein the screen faces rearwards, and a speaker 28, 30, 32 associated with the display screen arrangement, disposed in the seat back and positioned to be covered by the screen arrangement when the arrangement is in the stowed position. In other embodiments the seat back has a cavity (16) in which the screen arrangement can be stowed and a speaker arrangement is located behind the cavity, or the means of rotating the screen arrangement are a pair of hinges (46, 48, fig 5), wherein the seat back has a cavity in which the screen arrangement can be stowed and a speaker arrangement is disposed in the seat back.

Description

VEHICLE SEAT ASSEMBLY WITH ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat assembly with an entertainment system.
BACKGROUND
[0002] With the increasing popularity of entertainment systems in vehicles, including display terminals with Internet access and associated audio equipment, vehicle manufacturers face a variety of design challenges, including packaging constraints and maintaining aesthetic quality of a vehicle interior while providing the desired audio and visual components. The following patents describe various types of audio and visual systems for vehicles: US7413248, US8141948, US8585140, US8625034, US8794700 and US9016627.
SUMMARY
[0003] At least some embodiments of the present invention may include a vehicle seat assembly having an entertainment system. The vehicle seat assembly may include a seat back having a cavity therein, and a display screen arrangement attached to the seat back and including a display screen and a support structure supporting the display screen. Each of a pair of hinges has a first portion attached to the seat back and a second portion attached to a back side of the display screen such that the display screen arrangement is rotatable between a stowed position wherein the display screen faces forward and is disposed within the cavity in the seat back and a use position wherein the display screen faces rearward and is disposed outside the cavity in the seat back. A speaker arrangement is in electrical communication with the display screen and disposed in the seat back. The speaker arrangement is positioned to be covered by the display screen arrangement such that a front of the display screen faces a front of the speaker arrangement when the display screen arrangement is in the stowed position.
[0004] At least some embodiments of the present invention may include a vehicle seat assembly having an entertainment system. The vehicle seat assembly may include a seat back and a display screen arrangement rotatably attached to the seat back and movable between a stowed position wherein the display screen arrangement faces forward and a use position wherein the display screen arrangement faces rearward. A speaker associated with the display screen arrangement is disposed in the seat back and positioned to be covered by the display screen arrangement when the display screen arrangement is in the stowed position.
[0005] At least some embodiments of the present invention may include a vehicle seat assembly having an entertainment system. The vehicle seat assembly may include a seat back having a cavity therein, and a display screen arrangement rotatably attached to the seat back and movable between a first position wherein the display screen arrangement is disposed within the cavity in the seat back and a second position wherein the display screen arrangement is disposed outside of the cavity in the seat back. A speaker arrangement in electrical communication with the display screen arrangement is disposed behind the cavity in the seat back such that the speaker arrangement is covered by the display screen arrangement when the display screen arrangement is in the first position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIGURE 1 shows a perspective view of a vehicle seat assembly having an entertainment system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, including a display screen arrangement in a stowed position; [0007] FIGURE 2 shows the vehicle seat assembly of Figure 1 having the display screen arrangement in a use position; [0008] FIGURE 3 shows the vehicle seat assembly of Figure 1 with audio speakers exposed to show their position; [0009] FIGURE 4 shows a side view of the vehicle seat assembly of Figure 1 illustrating a range of movement for the display screen arrangement; [0010] FIGURE 5 shows the vehicle seat assembly of Figure 1 having a portion of the display screen arrangement removed, illustrating hinge mechanisms associated with the display screen arrangement; [0011] FIGURE 6 shows a detail view of one of the hinge mechanisms of Figure 5; and [0012] FIGURE 7 shows a portion of one of the hinge mechanisms, including an end-stop feature for limiting the range of motion of the display screen arrangement.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.
[0014] Figures 1 and 2 show a seat assembly 10 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The seat assembly 10 includes an entertainment system shown generally at 12, and has a seat back 14 having a cavity 16 disposed therein. The seat assembly 10 also includes a head restraint 17 and a seat cushion 19. The entertainment system 12 includes a display screen arrangement 18, which is attached to the seat back 14. The display screen arrangement 18 is movable between a first, stowed position as shown in Figure 1 where the display screen arrangement 18 is disposed within the cavity 16, and a second, use position as shown in Figure 2 where the display screen arrangement 18 is disposed outside the cavity 16. It is worth noting that as used herein, the description of the display screen arrangement 18 being disposed “within the cavity 16” or “outside the cavity 16” does not require that each and every part of the display screen arrangement 18 be completely within or without the cavity 16—although in some embodiments it may be. Rather, as illustrated in the drawing figures, most of the display screen arrangement 18 in this embodiment is within the cavity 16 when it is in the stowed position, and likewise, most of the display screen arrangement 18 in this embodiment is outside of the cavity 16 when it is in the use position. Other embodiments of the present invention may have configurations which differ somewhat from the illustrated embodiment, and in such embodiments, more or less of the display screen arrangement may be contained within or outside of its associated cavity in the seat back.
[0015] The display screen arrangement 18 includes a display screen 20 and a support structure 22 which supports the display screen 20. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the support structure 22 includes a frame surrounding the display screen 20, and may also include a housing or other structure to support the display screen 20. When it is in the stowed position, the display screen 20 generally faces toward a front—see direction arrow (F)—of the seat assembly 10 when the seat back 14 is in its use position as shown in Figure 1. Conversely, when it is in the use position, the display screen 20 generally faces toward a rear—see direction arrow (R)—of the seat assembly 10 when the seat back 14 is in its use position as shown in Figure 2.
[0016] The entertainment system 18 also includes a speaker arrangement 24 which is in electrical communication with the display screen 20, and which is also disposed in the seat back 14. As shown in Figure 2, the speaker arrangement 24 includes a grille 26 covering a number of speaker components, such as midrange speakers 28, 30 and tweeter 32 shown in Figure 3. The speaker arrangement 24 is positioned to be covered by the display screen arrangement 18 when the display screen arrangement 18 is in the stowed position, such as shown in Figure 1. Among other benefits, this helps to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance for the seat assembly 10 when the display screen arrangement 18 is in the stowed position and the speaker arrangement 24 is not in use. More specifically, the speaker arrangement 24 is positioned to be covered by the display screen arrangement 18 such that a front of the display screen 20—i.e., the portion intended to be viewed by a user—faces a front of the speaker arrangement 24—see, e.g., the grille 26 in Figure 2—when the display screen arrangement is in the stowed position as shown in Figure 1.
[0017] As shown in Figure 3, the vehicle seat assembly 10 also includes a latch arrangement 34, which includes a latch 36 and an actuator 38. The latch 36 is configured to help maintain the display screen arrangement 18 in the stowed position, and which can be released by the actuator 38. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the actuator is a button that can be depressed by an occupant seated in the seat directly behind the seat assembly 10 to release the display screen arrangement 18 from the stowed position. As explained in more detail below in conjunction with Figures 5 and 6, upon release of the latch 36, the display screen arrangement 18 will “pop out” a predetermined distance (d) such as shown in Figure 4. This allows the user access to rotate the display screen arrangement 18 into an upright or use position.
[0018] Also shown in Figure 4 is an arc 42 representing the rotational range of motion of the display screen arrangement 18—i.e., the rotation envelope. In the illustrated embodiment, it may be on the order of 190°, although in other embodiments it may be more or less than 190°, depending on the particular seat assembly configuration. The arc 44 illustrated in Figure 4 represents the front clearance envelope. As shown in Figure 4, the display screen arrangement 18 is generally vertical when it is in the use position; however, as explained in more detail below, it may be conveniently tilted backward to a position where it is not completely vertical if desired by the user.
[0019] Figure 5 shows a portion of the seat assembly 10, and in particular, illustrates the display screen arrangement 18 with a portion of it removed revealing a pair of hinges 46, 48. The hinge 46 has a first portion 50 attached to the seat back 14 and a second portion 52 attached to a back side 53 of the display screen 20. Similarly, the hinge 48 has a first portion 54 attached to the seat back 14 and a second portion 56 attached to the back side 53 of the display screen 20. As shown in Figure 5, the hinges 46, 48 are disposed on opposite sides of the display screen arrangement 18 and facilitate rotational movement of the display screen arrangement 18 between the stowed and use positions.
[0020] The hinge 48, including the first and second portions 54, 56, is shown in Figure 6, which is a close-up view of the detail called-out in Figure 5. Also shown in Figure 6 are friction elements 58, which apply a force to the first portion 54 of the hinge 48 such that the display screen arrangement 18 will maintain a rotational position as it is moved between the stowed and use positions. Thus, as noted above in conjunction with Figure 4, the display screen arrangement may be placed in a position somewhat less than vertical for convenience of viewing, and the friction elements 58 will maintain the display screen arrangement 18 in the desired position. In the embodiment illustrated in the drawing figures, a similar set of friction elements is also associated with the hinge 46, although in other embodiments this may not be the case.
[0021] Returning to Figure 6, there is illustrated a cam 60, which is attached to and rotatable with the display screen arrangement 18. The cam 60 is configured to cooperate with a spring 62, which in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 6 is a torsion spring disposed on the first portion 54 of the hinge 48. As shown in Figure 5, a similar cam and spring arrangement is associated with the hinge 46, although in other embodiments the spring and cam arrangement may be associated with only one of the hinges. The cam 60 and spring 62 are configured such that as the display screen arrangement 18 is moved from the use position to the stowed position, the cam 60 contacts the spring at a predetermined rotational position of the display screen arrangement 18 and imparts to the display screen arrangement 18 a force opposing movement of the display screen arrangement 18 toward the stowed position.
[0022] For example, in Figure 4, a distance (d) is associated with the view of the display screen arrangement 18 shown in phantom. Although the distance (d) is exaggerated in Figure 4 for clarity, in this embodiment this distance may be between 15 and 30 millimeters (mm), although it may be outside this range in other embodiments. In practice, as the display screen arrangement 18 is moved between the use position—shown in solid lines in Figure 4—toward the stowed position, as shown in phantom, it will encounter only the frictional force resistance imposed by the friction elements of the hinges for most of its range of travel. When it gets within the distance (d) of being completely stowed, the display screen arrangement 18 will also encounter the resistance of the spring 62. The force imparted by the spring 62 may be relatively easily overcome and the display screen arrangement fully stowed with the latch 36 keeping it in place—see, e.g., Figure 1.
[0023] While the display screen arrangement 18 is in the fully stowed position and latched, the spring 62 continues to impart a force to the display screen arrangement 18, effectively acting to try to move the display screen arrangement from the stowed position outward toward the use position. The force acting on the display screen arrangement 18 when it is in the stowed position provides a number of advantages. For example, by having the display screen arrangement 18 urged tightly against the latch 36, any potential buzz, squeak or rattle is significantly reduced or eliminated completely. In addition, the force of the spring 62 will cause the display screen arrangement 18 to “pop out” when the button 38 is actuated to release the latch 36. As described above, this forces the display screen arrangement 18 outward from the cavity 16 a certain distance, such as the distance (d), which allows a user to reach behind the display screen 18 and rotate it upward toward the use position.
[0024] Also shown in Figure 6, is a harness guide, configured as an elongate member 64 attached to and extending outward from a side of the support structure 22. The harness guide helps to guide electrical wires, such as a wire harness 66, from outside the display screen arrangement 18 to a position inside the display screen arrangement for connection to the display screen 20. The wire harness 66 may be configured to carry electrical power, communications, or both to the display screen 20, and may further connect the display screen 20 to other components, such as the speaker arrangement 24, or to a centralized control system. The harness guide 64 helps to ensure that the wiring will not become tangled as the display screen arrangement 18 is repeatedly moved between the stowed and use positions.
[0025] Figure 7 shows another feature of one of the hinges, in this case the hinge 46. Specifically, the hinge 46 includes an end-stop 68 on the second portion 52 of the hinge 46. The end-stop 68 is configured to contact of the first portion 50 of the hinge 46 as the display screen arrangement 18 reaches the vertical position. Owing to flexibility of the various components, the display screen arrangement may continue to rotate a small amount past vertical—for example by the angle (Θ). In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the angle Θ may be approximately 3°; however, in other embodiments it may be more or less depending on the particular design requirements. The end-stop 68 is configured such that even if the display screen arrangement rotates a small amount past vertical, it will not continue to rotate forward so far as to cause damage to any of the components.
[0026] While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the claims. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.

Claims (20)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:
1. A vehicle seat assembly having an entertainment system, comprising: a seat back having a cavity therein; a display screen arrangement attached to the seat back and including a display screen and a support structure supporting the display screen; a pair of hinges each having a first portion attached to the seat back and a second portion attached to a back side of the display screen such that the display screen arrangement is rotatable between a stowed position wherein the display screen faces forward and is disposed within the cavity in the seat back and a use position wherein the display screen faces rearward and is disposed outside the cavity in the seat back; and a speaker arrangement in electrical communication with the display screen and disposed in the seat back, the speaker arrangement being positioned to be covered by the display screen arrangement such that a front of the display screen faces a front of the speaker arrangement when the display screen arrangement is in the stowed position.
2. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the hinges apply a frictional force to the display screen arrangement to maintain a rotational position of the display screen arrangement as it is moved between the stowed and use positions.
3. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 2, further comprising: a cam attached to and rotatable with the display screen arrangement; and a torsion spring disposed on the first portion of one of the hinges and attached to the second portion of the one of the hinges such that when the display screen arrangement is moved from the use position toward the stowed position, the cam contacts the torsion spring at a predetermined rotational position of the display screen arrangement and imparts to the display screen arrangement a force opposing movement of the display screen arrangement toward the stowed position.
4. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 3, further comprising a latch arrangement including a latch and an actuator, the latch arrangement being disposed in the seat back and operable to secure the display screen arrangement in the stowed position.
5. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 4, wherein the force imparted by the torsion spring to the display screen arrangement urges the display screen arrangement toward the use position and against the latch when the display screen arrangement is in the stowed position.
6. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 4, wherein the torsion spring effects movement of the display screen arrangement between about 15 millimeters and 30 millimeters toward the use position when the actuator is operated to open the latch when the display screen arrangement in the stowed position.
7. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a head restraint attached to the seat back; and an end-stop disposed on at least one of the hinges and positioned to stop the display screen arrangement from contacting the head restraint as the display screen arrangement is moved into the use position.
8. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1, further comprising an elongate member attached to and extending outward from a side of the support structure for guiding electrical wires from outside the display screen arrangement to a position inside the display screen arrangement for connection to the display screen.
9. A vehicle seat assembly having an entertainment system, comprising: a seat back; a display screen arrangement rotatably attached to the seat back and movable between a stowed position wherein the display screen arrangement faces forward and a use position wherein the display screen arrangement faces rearward; and a speaker associated with the display screen arrangement and disposed in the seat back and positioned to be covered by the display screen arrangement when the display screen arrangement is in the stowed position.
10. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 9, further comprising a pair of hinges attached to the seat back and attached to and disposed on opposite sides of the display screen arrangement for facilitating rotational movement of the display screen arrangement between the stowed and use positions.
11. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 10, further comprising: a head restraint attached to the seat back, and an end-stop disposed on at least one of the hinges and positioned to inhibit the display screen arrangement from contacting the head restraint as the display screen arrangement is moved into the use position.
12. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 10, wherein the hinges apply a frictional force to a portion of the display screen arrangement to maintain a rotational position of the display screen arrangement as it is moved between the stowed and use positions.
13. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 9, further comprising: a cam attached to and rotatable with the display screen arrangement; and a torsion spring disposed proximate the cam such that when the display screen arrangement is moved from the use position toward the stowed position, the cam contacts the torsion spring at a predetermined rotational position of the display screen arrangement and imparts to the display screen arrangement a force opposing movement of the display screen arrangement toward the stowed position.
14. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 13, further comprising a latch disposed in the seat back and operable to secure the display screen arrangement in the stowed position.
15. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 14, wherein the force imparted by the torsion spring to the display screen arrangement urges the display screen arrangement toward the use position and against the latch when the display screen arrangement is in the stowed position.
16. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 15, wherein the torsion spring effects movement of the display screen arrangement toward the use position by a predetermined distance when the latch is opened with the display screen arrangement in the stowed position.
17. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 9, wherein the display screen arrangement includes a display screen and a support structure supporting the display screen, the vehicle seat assembly further comprising a harness guide attached to and extending outward from a side of the support structure for guiding a wire harness from outside the display screen arrangement to a position inside the display screen arrangement for connection to the display screen.
18. A vehicle seat assembly having an entertainment system, comprising: a seat back having a cavity disposed therein; a display screen arrangement rotatably attached to the seat back and movable between a first position wherein the display screen arrangement is disposed within the cavity in the seat back and a second position wherein the display screen arrangement is disposed outside of the cavity in the seat back; and a speaker arrangement in electrical communication with the display screen arrangement and disposed behind the cavity in the seat back such that the speaker arrangement is covered by the display screen arrangement when the display screen arrangement is in the first position.
19. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 18, further comprising a pair of hinges attached to the seat back and attached to and disposed on opposite sides of the display screen arrangement for facilitating rotational movement of the display screen arrangement between the first and second positions, at least one of the hinges including friction elements configured to apply a force to a portion of the display screen arrangement to maintain a rotational position of the display screen arrangement as it is moved between the first and second positions.
20. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 19, further comprising: a cam attached to and rotatable with the display screen arrangement; and a torsion spring disposed on a first portion of one of the hinges and attached to a second portion of the one of the hinges such that when the display screen arrangement is moved from the second position toward the first position, the cam contacts the torsion spring and imparts to the display screen arrangement a force opposing movement of the display screen arrangement toward the first position.
GB1613993.3A 2015-09-03 2016-08-16 Vehicle seat assembly with entertainment system Expired - Fee Related GB2543613B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US14/844,114 US9586532B1 (en) 2015-09-03 2015-09-03 Vehicle seat assembly with entertainment system

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201613993D0 GB201613993D0 (en) 2016-09-28
GB2543613A true GB2543613A (en) 2017-04-26
GB2543613B GB2543613B (en) 2017-11-15

Family

ID=56985829

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB1613993.3A Expired - Fee Related GB2543613B (en) 2015-09-03 2016-08-16 Vehicle seat assembly with entertainment system

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US9586532B1 (en)
CN (1) CN106494283B (en)
GB (1) GB2543613B (en)

Families Citing this family (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2017151149A1 (en) * 2016-03-04 2017-09-08 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P Device hinges
US9945509B2 (en) * 2016-08-02 2018-04-17 Panasonic Avionics Corporation Quick-release mounting system for removably attaching a panel instrument to a structure
JP6611839B2 (en) * 2017-03-06 2019-11-27 キヤノン株式会社 Electronics
JP6994840B2 (en) * 2017-04-03 2022-01-14 株式会社ジャムコ Rear shell structure and seat unit
CN107865535A (en) * 2017-06-13 2018-04-03 林安福 A kind of modified medical public chair
CN107853907A (en) * 2017-06-13 2018-03-30 林安福 A kind of medical public chair of novel
US10404085B2 (en) * 2017-07-25 2019-09-03 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North Ameica, Inc. Vehicle console assemblies with device charging trays including electronic device support features
CN108528353A (en) * 2018-05-22 2018-09-14 合肥诚辉电子有限公司 A kind of automobile audio display screen
DE102018115294A1 (en) * 2018-06-26 2020-01-02 Faurecia Autositze Gmbh Backrest for a seat, in particular vehicle seat, and seat
CN109878736B (en) * 2019-03-12 2022-11-29 西北工业大学 Amusement equipment box embedded in aviation seat
US11351898B2 (en) * 2020-10-15 2022-06-07 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Accessory support assembly for a vehicle seat
DE202021102428U1 (en) * 2021-05-05 2021-05-14 Kinetix Ag Holder for releasable attachment of a flat device to a motor vehicle seat
CN113665493B (en) * 2021-09-23 2023-06-27 诺博汽车系统有限公司 Rotary central control screen and vehicle

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US227861A (en) * 1880-05-18 Magnet-telephone

Family Cites Families (25)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7084932B1 (en) 1999-12-28 2006-08-01 Johnson Controls Technology Company Video display system for a vehicle
US20060109388A1 (en) 1998-12-28 2006-05-25 Johnson Controls Technology Company Wireless signal system for a video display unit
EP1260407B1 (en) 2001-05-25 2012-01-11 Johnson Controls GmbH Vehicle seat with integrated screen
US7044546B2 (en) 2002-08-14 2006-05-16 Johnson Safety, Inc. Headrest-mounted monitor
DE10244100B4 (en) 2002-09-23 2006-05-04 Johnson Controls Gmbh Screen, in particular for the seat of a motor vehicle
US6871356B2 (en) * 2002-10-28 2005-03-22 Johnson Safety, Inc. Mobile video system
US7149078B2 (en) * 2003-05-15 2006-12-12 Audiovox Corporation Video display system
US7909397B2 (en) * 2003-05-15 2011-03-22 Audiovox Corporation In-vehicle docking station for a portable media player
FR2855472B1 (en) * 2003-05-27 2005-08-05 Faurecia Sieges Automobile VEHICLE SEAT BACKREST HAVING A TELEVISION MONITOR AND VEHICLE SEAT COMPRISING SUCH A DOSSIER
US7604273B2 (en) * 2003-11-07 2009-10-20 Vitito Christopher J Vehicle entertainment system
US20050206206A1 (en) * 2004-03-18 2005-09-22 Peng Juen T Seat back display with protective cover
US7762627B2 (en) * 2005-11-02 2010-07-27 Chung Lung Chang Headrest-mounted entertainment systems
DE602006020920D1 (en) 2005-12-22 2011-05-05 Johnson Controls Tech Co BACKRESTS ENTERTAINMENT DISPLAY SYSTEM
US7413248B2 (en) 2006-04-28 2008-08-19 Tachi-S Co., Ltd. Acoustic structure of seat back
US8141948B2 (en) 2007-05-11 2012-03-27 Audiovox Corporation Seat back entertainment system
JP5248088B2 (en) 2007-11-21 2013-07-31 トヨタ紡織株式会社 Monitor panel mounting structure
CN201390206Y (en) * 2009-01-23 2010-01-27 杨东佐 On-vehicle audio-video player
JP5375289B2 (en) 2009-04-08 2013-12-25 トヨタ紡織株式会社 Display device for vehicle seat
US9016627B2 (en) 2009-10-02 2015-04-28 Panasonic Avionics Corporation System and method for providing an integrated user interface system at a seat
CN104584442B (en) * 2012-08-15 2017-03-08 三菱电机株式会社 Face equipment
US8733831B2 (en) 2012-09-17 2014-05-27 Atom, Enterprises, Inc. Mounting assembly for securing an entertainment device to a vehicle seat
CN202896451U (en) * 2012-10-18 2013-04-24 深圳车视杰电子科技有限公司 Chair back display device
FR3001664B1 (en) 2013-02-04 2015-03-27 Faurecia Interieur Ind SUPPORT DEVICE COMPRISING A MOBILE RECEPTION SURFACE AND A SHUTTER COMPONENT
FR3001665B1 (en) 2013-02-04 2016-07-01 Faurecia Interieur Ind SUPPORT DEVICE COMPRISING A STABLE MOBILE RECEPTION SURFACE IN DEPLOYED POSITION
US9272671B2 (en) 2013-06-28 2016-03-01 Faurecia Interior Systems, Inc. Display screen arrangement and method of assembly

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US227861A (en) * 1880-05-18 Magnet-telephone

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2543613B (en) 2017-11-15
CN106494283A (en) 2017-03-15
CN106494283B (en) 2018-05-01
US9586532B1 (en) 2017-03-07
GB201613993D0 (en) 2016-09-28
US20170066387A1 (en) 2017-03-09

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US9586532B1 (en) Vehicle seat assembly with entertainment system
US10421411B2 (en) Headrest-mounted monitor
JP5543836B2 (en) Vehicle sun visor
US20040032543A1 (en) Headrest-mounted monitor
CN107533222B (en) Head-mounted electronic device
JP6657282B2 (en) Rearview mirror device with exposed master plate
JP5245429B2 (en) Cable routing structure
WO2016200942A1 (en) Vehicle interior component
JP5668423B2 (en) Portable device fixing device
JP6917320B2 (en) Wire harness wiring structure
JP2005058287A (en) Headrest with loudspeakers
US20240064446A1 (en) Modular audio assembly for use with vehicle headrest
KR101470118B1 (en) an arm rest cover apparatus for a vehicle
KR101593847B1 (en) Headrest device
US20240051447A1 (en) Vehicle headrest assembly with deployable speaker modules
US20070034763A1 (en) Method and apparatus for mounting overhead display unit
JP5974801B2 (en) Vehicle seat
KR102148293B1 (en) console arm rest
JP2013000167A (en) Seat for vehicle
JP2022103478A (en) Speaker device and hood type speaker device
US10201104B2 (en) Electronic apparatus having a door structure for accessing communication socket
JP4371022B2 (en) table
KR20200011158A (en) Console arm rest for vehicle
JP2003335146A (en) Acceleration pedal device
JP2013150080A (en) Headphone

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20220816